Immigration Law

Two types of immigration:

Humanitarian Immigration

Asylum - Every year people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, political opinion. Asylum allows immigrants to escape the persecution that they suffered in their homelands and come to America to start a new life. It also helps those people who did not suffer persecution in the past, but have a legitimate fear of persecution if they returned home. The United States has long been a safe haven for refugees from around the world.

Refugee status - this can be granted to people who have yet to enter the United States but are fleeing national disasters and persecution similar to what is listed above.

Receiving Asylum status allows you to live in the United States, obtain work authorization, obtain a green card, and ultimately apply for U.S. citizenship. Our Law Office can help you determine whether you are eligible to petition the U.S. government for asylum or whether you should instead apply for a visa to come to the United States.

Family Based Immigration

A foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the United States requires an immigrant visa. To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).

• There are two types of family-based immigrant visas:
• 1. Immediate Relative – these visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child or parent. The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year.
• 2. Family Preference – these visas are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year.

Our office will help you deal with either scenario, ensuring that you meet all requirements and successfully file your petition: